I had my first kayak trip of the season with my camera and wanted to share some of the things I learned up to this trip.
Spring is finally here in the Black Hills, with the temperature slowly warming every day, we are seeing more and more birds migrating through and the snow is melting in spots that have have been covered all winter. There is quite a bit of melting to do on some of the larger lakes in the area, like Pactola, but smaller lakes like Canyon Lake are completely thawed out and give you a taste of summer waiting around the corner.
One of my favorite things to do in the summer is kayaking. I experimented last year with different techniques to be able to bring my camera out with me. I saw so many opportunities for pictures of waterfowl in the middle of the lake that I wouldn't be able to get close enough to get a picture of from the shore, and even some missed chances of animals on the shore in remote areas of the lake.
This is not a complete guide to photography from a kayak, but I definitely have some pointers about things you should and should not do that I learned in the past year.
Canyon Lake, Rapid City, SD
When spring hits in Rapid City, a lot of outdoor enthusiasts flock to Canyon Lake for recreation, whether it be kayaking, fishing, biking, bird watching, or just taking a walk. We are all anxious to get out, but have to watch the weather constantly this time of year and plan accordingly. We still have overnight temperatures that dip below freezing, and can stay that way until mid morning.
Packing for the right conditions
If you are living in South Dakota, there is a pretty good chance you have 'winter' and 'summer' clothes in your closet. You probably use items from both sections during the spring/fall seasons when the weather is the most unpredictable.
Make sure before any outing you are prepared for anything. I usually bring these items and leave what I don't need in the truck:
A light-weight, thin jacket
A weather proof jacket (that helps withstand wind, rain, or moisture)
A hoodie
Extra water bottles
Extra pair of shoes/socks
Extra pair of clothes (for after your done)
Tools to fix accessories on the kayak (screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.)
Towel
Fishing Waders
Waterproof boots
Gloves
Again, this is just what I do to prepare. Each person and situation is unique, so your list may be different from mine.
Now that we covered making sure you are prepared, let's dive into important things to remember while you are on the kayak!
How would I store my camera on a kayak?
What kind of kayak should I use?
I did a lot of research before investing into my kayak, and this is what I came up with:
Spend the extra money if this is something you really want to do. Get a kayak with a foot pedal system, so you can at least have one free hand on your camera.
I googled 'Kayak photography', 'Wildlife photography from a kayak', 'camera systems to go on a kayak', etc. and found a few good sources, but nothing that made me feel comfortable about taking my camera out. Most articles talked about looking for kayaks that were good for fishing, since they tend to be more stable so fisherman can stand in the boat. Basically, I knew I was going to have to come up with something unique that would work best for me.
My boyfriend was looking into kayaks and really wanted a Hobie Lynx. I didn't want to spend $2000-$3000 on a boat, so I was going to get something cheaper. Everything I could find on photography on a kayak was in boats that you would paddle with your arms, and most people set up a tripod with the legs strapped to the boat.
It was great to know it was possible with one of those kayaks, but I really wanted a hands free option. I don't normally shoot with a tripod, it seems to get in my way every time I try to use one. That is my personal preference, there are many people out there who would say the opposite.
I tested out bringing my camera with me on a regular kayak first, but I didn't like taking it out of the dry bag I stored it in at the time. I had a lot of water getting in the boat, and I was very uncomfortable having my camera with me. I wouldn't take it out to use unless I pulled over and got out of the boat.
Next, I tested out the Hobie Lynx, which was amazing. This boat was very stable, and you have foot pedals to move around with, and only need one hand to steer. You can easily move the boat where you need to in the water and use both hands to hold your camera and take a picture.
It was a pretty obvious choice once I tried both, I was going to get a Hobie. I ended up going with the Hobie Compass (pictured above), which is longer and heavier. It was on sale for $2079, and it has the option of adding a Sidekick AMA kit for extra stability. I thought it would be a good addition to protect my camera gear. I love my boat, and am very happy I took the leap and spent the extra money.
How would I store my camera on a kayak?
This also took some time for me to figure out. I wanted something that is big enough to hold my 150-600 mm lens attached to my camera, but have the option to carry other smaller lenses as well.
I needed to find something cheap that would work in the beginning, so I bought a waterproof backpack that is similar to a dry bag. It had great ratings on Amazon, and said it was tested in the ocean. I would put the soft case my lens came with in the middle of the bag, and stuff extra clothes around the outside to protect it during transport. There would usually be a hoodie in there, so I would stuff my extra lenses inside of the sleeves.
Pictured above is my Hobie Compass (orange). The crate in front of the green cooler is where I stored my camera originally. You can see the black waterproof backpack I used to keep my camera dry. The backpack had clips on the back that I used to clip to my crate, which was tied down to my kayak.
It worked for me for a temporary solution, but I would NOT recommend doing that to anybody else. It was very risky, and I knew I need to figure something out once kayak season started again this spring.
I took my camera out once with the backpack and immediately started looking at waterproof boxes when I got home. I was thinking I was going to get a Pelican case, but the one that would fit perfectly for what I needed was over $250. I almost bit the bullet and got one, but I ended up finding one that fit better for $120. It is almost 20" tall x 18" wide x 12" deep, and fits perfectly on my kayak. I bought it from a brand called "Eyelar" and it has customizable foam on the inside. The latches are very strong, it made me feel good about it sealing my camera inside and not having water leaks.
This case was the best thing I could have bought! It sits right behind my seat, so I can reach around and open/close it very easily and fast. I haven't tipped over with it, but I try to avoid that anyway! I know the foam protects my camera from damage fairly well, on the way to the lake I had it in my backseat and when I turned the corner it tumbled to the floor upside down. Camera unharmed!
If you are thinking about trying photography on your kayak, make sure you do your research and look at reviews before spending the money. It all comes down to making sure you feel comfortable with your equipment, and knowing the risks.
MOST IMPORTANT RULE: Tie down ALL of your gear!
The ultimate goal each day is to not tip over in your kayak, but accidents happen. You may fall in at least once, but if you are prepared and can take some preventative steps before hand, you may not ruin your gear.
This is for any type of kayak you have, no matter what you are doing. Tipping over already sucks, but having your equipment sink to the bottom of the lake would be worse, whether that is fishing poles or camera equipment.
Always have extra bungee cords. I use some of the cords that are already on my kayak, but I have some extra to hold my box with my camera in it. If I were to tip over, at least the box would be tied down and sealed so nothing would get ruined or sink.
When I say ALL of your gear, I mean things that you don't care about as much too. Make sure everything is attached to your boat. I have a strap connecting my drive system to the boat, and even my phone is in a waterproof case with a lanyard tied around my chair. You will be so happy you did later.
Overall, do it because you want to, not because you have to. Enjoy what you do.
The first time I took my camera out on my kayak, I didn't have a photography business, I just liked taking pictures of birds in my free time. The love for birdwatching and photography is what encouraged me to explore this option to create a unique perspective of wildlife viewing. I actually started my business because I started receiving comments and messages encouraging me to sell my photos. If I were to use my camera for other things like shooting weddings or portraits, I don't think I would be nearly as comfortable with taking it out on the kayak.
Make sure you are very aware of the risks before you decide to take the chance with kayak photography.
Thanks for sharing, glad your having fun and being safe.